What Perks Do You Value Most?
May 1, 2021, 9:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: PDX, OGG or between the two
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 2,864
What Perks Do You Value Most?
I swear I'm not doing market research for AS... just curious what my fellow flyers value most with the AS MVP/Gold/75K, etc. program?
For me (most to least important):
For me (most to least important):
- Seat selection at booking - I'm tall so leg room is by far the thing I care most about. Being able to lockdown at least an exit row is very nice.
- FC/PC upgrades
- Points to be used for future flights
- Free checked bags
- Access to a human to check bags - I hate printing and self-tagging my bags just due to having to drop and move my bags as much as 3X (once at the kiosk, next to the "gate keeper" at the end the line velvet ropes, then finally at the desk)
- Food/Beverage - this is kind of a moving target with Covid. I don't mind buying things but that not being an option lately has been a drag for sure.
- Boarding priority
- Everything else that I can't think of and/or don't use.
May 1, 2021, 10:51 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
The #1 thing I value the most is the fact that I can earn elite status based on miles traveled, not the amount I paid for my ticket. Revenue-based programs are non-starters for me. As for the elite status itself, I guess I value the PC/F upgrades and free baggage the most (in that order since I can get the free bags with a credit card, but not the upgrades).
May 2, 2021, 11:48 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska airlines 100k
Posts: 923
Most valued unique benefit as a 75K is FC upgrade priority and ability to directly select PC. Next is EQM based upon miles flown and bonus mileage accumulated.
The cancellation policy was previously my main prioritized benefit as a means to permit flexible business travel plans. However now this is no longer a unique benefit.
Least valued is GGU.
The cancellation policy was previously my main prioritized benefit as a means to permit flexible business travel plans. However now this is no longer a unique benefit.
Least valued is GGU.
May 2, 2021, 12:09 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
additionally, AS Wallet funds aren’t tied to the original purchaser (again, I may be mistaken, but I don’t think it’s possible to use a DL e-credit toward a ticket for someone else)
May 2, 2021, 12:20 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,629
true, but the process (funds go directly to Wallet balance which can be directly applied to new purchases) is better than, say, DL where they’re identified on a ticket-by-ticket basis, have to be individually selected when purchasing, and have quantity limitations (I may be mistaken but I think you can use no more than three e-credits or vouchers on any given purchase)
additionally, AS Wallet funds aren’t tied to the original purchaser (again, I may be mistaken, but I don’t think it’s possible to use a DL e-credit toward a ticket for someone else)
additionally, AS Wallet funds aren’t tied to the original purchaser (again, I may be mistaken, but I don’t think it’s possible to use a DL e-credit toward a ticket for someone else)
May 2, 2021, 4:25 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: PDX, OGG or between the two
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 2,864
true, but the process (funds go directly to Wallet balance which can be directly applied to new purchases) is better than, say, DL where they’re identified on a ticket-by-ticket basis, have to be individually selected when purchasing, and have quantity limitations (I may be mistaken but I think you can use no more than three e-credits or vouchers on any given purchase)
additionally, AS Wallet funds aren’t tied to the original purchaser (again, I may be mistaken, but I don’t think it’s possible to use a DL e-credit toward a ticket for someone else)
additionally, AS Wallet funds aren’t tied to the original purchaser (again, I may be mistaken, but I don’t think it’s possible to use a DL e-credit toward a ticket for someone else)
May 2, 2021, 7:19 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,594
In reading over the Gold/MVP benefits I was a bit unclear about the "complimentary same day changes". Does the fare difference apply or is it if they have space can I just switch flights without paying the difference? Or, is this just leftover from before the whole, "no change fees" thing came out a few months ago?
May 2, 2021, 7:59 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,387
Getting that limo from the First Class Terminal out to your flight to the tarmac in SEA/PDX/SFO/LAX/SAN/SJC/OAK is such a treat, isn’t it? Right up there with the shower and nap rooms and restaurant with food made to order.
May 2, 2021, 11:57 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
No fare difference for SDC - there just has to be space to change to. You also have to keep the same routing, including intermediate cities, but there are plenty of reports of people getting that waived on the phone. The biggest limit is that it has to be within the same calendar day, rather than with 24 hours of the original departure, with an exception for flights between midnight at 4 am where you can switch to as early as 10pm on the previous day.
Standby
You are an MVP® Gold Mileage Plan member (or traveling in the same reservation as one) and are eligible for a same day confirmed flight change, but space is not available on the desired flight to make a confirmed change.
James
May 3, 2021, 12:37 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: PDX, OGG or between the two
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 2,864
MVPG & MVPG75K may also "standby" for full flights if a SDC can not be confirmed.
Standby
You are an MVP® Gold Mileage Plan member (or traveling in the same reservation as one) and are eligible for a same day confirmed flight change, but space is not available on the desired flight to make a confirmed change.
James
Standby
You are an MVP® Gold Mileage Plan member (or traveling in the same reservation as one) and are eligible for a same day confirmed flight change, but space is not available on the desired flight to make a confirmed change.
James
May 3, 2021, 1:05 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
The SDC benefit is nice on paper, but I almost never use it...especially if I'm upgraded or have a great seat on the flight I'm currently booked on and having more time at the airport just means more time in the lounge which I pre-paid for so I might as well have another pancake, right?
May 3, 2021, 1:05 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
I believe they would look to confirm you on the next available flight, or add you to the stand-by list if it's sold out. If you'd rather, I'm sure crediting to wallet would also be an option.
May 3, 2021, 1:07 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James
Update: If you do a standby for a later flight and AS is unable to accommodate you on that flight you have two options, AS will rebook you for the next day; a fare difference would apply or you can cancel and return the funds to your wallet.
James
May 3, 2021, 1:16 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
That is a good question & one I don't have an immediate answer for. I have done many same day changes but have only done standby once for an earlier full flight that was already boarding; I was at the airport already anyway. As a 75K, I was slotted in at the top of the "awaiting seats" list and cleared in about 10 minutes. Not getting a confirmed same day change doesn't happen often.
James
Update: If you do a standby for a later flight and AS is unable to accommodate you on that flight you have two options, AS will rebook you for the next day; a fare difference would apply or you can cancel and return the funds to your wallet.
James
James
Update: If you do a standby for a later flight and AS is unable to accommodate you on that flight you have two options, AS will rebook you for the next day; a fare difference would apply or you can cancel and return the funds to your wallet.
James
1. Is it better to ask via chat/text or call?
2. Do you ever change to a connection to get more EQMs or a better position on the upgrade list?
If I'm flying PDX-LAX or vice versa, I've wondered how willing they would be to do something like PDX-SEA-LAX. I would guess you would need to have your specific flights picked out and ask specifically for them.
May 3, 2021, 2:31 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
Hey James--I know SDC needs to "officially" follow the original routing, but many have had success making routing changes by talking to an actual agent. My questions to you are:
1. Is it better to ask via chat/text or call?
2. Do you ever change to a connection to get more EQMs or a better position on the upgrade list?
If I'm flying PDX-LAX or vice versa, I've wondered how willing they would be to do something like PDX-SEA-LAX. I would guess you would need to have your specific flights picked out and ask specifically for them.
1. Is it better to ask via chat/text or call?
2. Do you ever change to a connection to get more EQMs or a better position on the upgrade list?
If I'm flying PDX-LAX or vice versa, I've wondered how willing they would be to do something like PDX-SEA-LAX. I would guess you would need to have your specific flights picked out and ask specifically for them.
1- I've always called ... luckily, hold time as a 75k hasn't been excessive (most instances were on LAX-SEA trips when I was able to leave work earlier than expected; generally called from the Avis lot or bus on the way to the terminal)
2A- I have turned LAX-SEA into LAX-PDX-SEA at least once
2B- I was able to change SEA-PDX-BWI into SEA-PDX-DCA at the gate in Portland (Jun 2018)
2C- you can't tell where you'll be on the upgrade list on a different flight until you check in (however, a phone agent may be able to tell you how many are currently on the list)